join us as we discuss today's most critical global issues. join us for great decisions. [instrumental music] >> great decisions is produced by the foreign policy association, inspiring americans to learn more about the world. funding for great decisions is provided by the carnegie corporation of new york, the starr foundation, shell international and the european commission. great decisions is produced in association with the university of delaware. >> and now from our studios, here is ralph begleiter. >> welcome to great decisions. i'm ralph begleiter. joining us to discuss the role of special envoys in u.s. foreign policy are charles dunbar, professor of international relations at boston university and 2010 great decisions briefing book author, and michael fullilove, director of the global issues program at the lowy institute for international policy in sydney, australia and a non-resident senior fellow in foreign policy at the brookings institution in the united states. welcome to both of you. >> nice to be here. >> you know, i'm curious why we talk about special envo